Ease My Fear...Please!

My Dad just had his first CT scan yesterday, and now we are waiting for the results...this waiting is absolutely killing me!

 He was diagnosed with Stage IV back in February, for those of you unfamiliar.  It was determined he had stage IV colon cancer when the doctors went in to simply "remove a block in his colon."  Once they went inside, they realized that not only did he have 2 blocks in his colon, but cancer that had spread to both the liver and abdomen.  Therefore, the  right side of his colon was removed and a colostomy bag was put in.  Since then, he has been receiving Chemo for the past 8 weeks and doing WONDERFULLY with it!  He has no side effects, a great appetite, put all of his weight back on, continues to work daily (except on Wednesday when he receives his treatments) and is overall happy and energetic.  Furthermore, his blood work has been coming back perfect.  Correct me if I am wrong, but if the treatment was not working, or if the cancer was spreading more, wouldn;t his blood labs show it?  All of his blood counts are find and his liver function is also fine.

I know we won't know anything until we receive the CT scan results, but I would have to assume all of these things are good signs, correct?  I am losing sleep and I can't even function at work and so I am just looking for someone to ease my worry because obviously the Oncologist will not say anything until he reviews the CT scan.

I am so sorry for rambling but I don't know where else to turn.

Are the blood counts you are referring to his CEA levels?

No, I am not sure what his CEA levels are now, but when he started 8 weeks ago it was 13.  The blood counts are his white cells and red cells and hemoglobin, etc.  All of those counts and his liver function are fine.  I am not sure of every blood test he gets because he gets a ton!  It is all part of this clinical study he is in.

CEA test is the only test that provides information pertaining the potential presence of free cancer cells in the blood.  The other tests relate mostly the effect of chemo on the blood such as white cells, platelets, etc.  The blood test being "good" does not provide key information pertaining to cancer.

In addition, the CT scan should accomplished combined with a PET scan.  Is a PET  scan scheduled I would try for one.   It is the most accurate and provided my Docs with the key information to fight a reoccurrence

So in other words, just because he looks good, feels good, and his blood levels are good does not mean that the chemo is working.

 

On 5/22/2008 DinaZ wrote:

So in other words, just because he looks good, feels good, and his blood levels are good does not mean that the chemo is working.

Please try not to worry too much. Every time I have felt good, had good blood results the scan results have been good as well. The CEA level is not a good indicator of what is going on inside. My CEA level started at 1500 or higher, went down to 5.5, went back up to 550 and back down to 100. So although it is used to indicate the amount of active cancer it is not always accurate as every person is different.

I think how the person is feeling is a much better indicator of what is going on. So, please try not to worry until you get the CT scan results. Even if it is not as expected there are many other things which can be done.

I sure don't want to discourage you but I was the same a year ago and I had a recurrence last Sept.  But, I continued with treatment and surgery including radiation and chemo and I am cancer free as determined by my last PET scan. I think the key is that you need be strong and be willing to fight hard should you need to.  The fact that he is willing to fight combined with a strong will to beat what ever comes up is essential.

 

On 5/22/2008 DinaZ wrote:

My Dad just had his first CT scan yesterday, and now we are waiting for the results...this waiting is absolutely killing me!

 He was diagnosed with Stage IV back in February, for those of you unfamiliar.  It was determined he had stage IV colon cancer when the doctors went in to simply "remove a block in his colon."  Once they went inside, they realized that not only did he have 2 blocks in his colon, but cancer that had spread to both the liver and abdomen.  Therefore, the  right side of his colon was removed and a colostomy bag was put in.  Since then, he has been receiving Chemo for the past 8 weeks and doing WONDERFULLY with it!  He has no side effects, a great appetite, put all of his weight back on, continues to work daily (except on Wednesday when he receives his treatments) and is overall happy and energetic.  Furthermore, his blood work has been coming back perfect.  Correct me if I am wrong, but if the treatment was not working, or if the cancer was spreading more, wouldn;t his blood labs show it?  All of his blood counts are find and his liver function is also fine.

I know we won't know anything until we receive the CT scan results, but I would have to assume all of these things are good signs, correct?  I am losing sleep and I can't even function at work and so I am just looking for someone to ease my worry because obviously the Oncologist will not say anything until he reviews the CT scan.

I am so sorry for rambling but I don't know where else to turn.

I have to tell you I think your Dad is taking chemo with DAVANAT!  DAVANAT is mixed with 5FU, Leucovorin and AVASTIN.   This is the only therapy that I know of where chemo doesn't effect your blood work at all.  Your red, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin will all stay constant through chemo.  All other chemos will knock down the blood levels.

If you are measuring your markers from the blood you basically want them to go down.  No stay steady.

 So what medication is your dad on?  Is he involved in the DAVANAT trial.

Mike Sheikh

 

No, he is not involved with DAVANAT.  He is in a clinical trial strictly based on the effects of Centuximab (Erbitux) with 5FU.  If Davanat is with the 5fu, I do not know...I have never heard the doctor's speak of that.  He is receiving Oxiplaitin, Leucravin, 5FU, Erbitux...and that is all I know of.  We are still awaiting the results of his CT scan, my post was basically to see if anyone out there could comfort me and help me sleep at night by telling me that the fact that his labs were good and he is feeling well are all positive indicators that his CT scan will be good too...but I guess that is not true.